Civic Benefit

No car? No plan? What to do if a hurricane comes our way

It’s hurricane season and in New Orleans, storms are always a possibility.

So it’s summertime and you know what that means — hurricane season is here.

Sure, we make fun of staying for hurricanes and throwing parties with our families while we’re off from school and work, but in all seriousness, it’s only a matter of time before a storm hits the city and we need to get outta town.

No Car?

So what happens if a mandatory evacuation happens and you don’t have a car?

That’s where the city-assisted evacuation (CAE) plan comes in. It’s a program that offers a free ride to residents (and their pets) during a mandatory evacuation.

Have you ever seen those big metal stick-figure statues across the city of a person trying to catch a ride? That’s where you need to head.

Where To Go In An Evacuation

There are 15 Evacuspot statues throughout the city, and 17 spots total across the city, so if you don’t have a car, there’s still a spot near you. You’ll want to check ahead of time to make sure you go to the right spot to serve you because some spots are reserved for seniors.

After the storm, CAE also provides a ride home from the shelter once the city is reopened.

If There Isn’t An Evacuation

If the city doesn’t call a mandatory evacuation, NOLA Ready is a great resource to find up to date information about weather conditions, what roads are closed because of flooding, and where you can find other city resources in case your area gets flooded or damaged during the storm.

You can also text your zip code to 888777 to receive NOLA Ready emergency text alerts.

What To Pack

You should always have a bag packed with a few days of clothes for everyone in your household, and keep important papers, like birth certificates and Social Security cards, handy. It’s best to have zip-close plastic bags handy, in case there’s a chance your important papers could get wet.